Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for securing an item for transport in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a tether anchor bezel, having a housing and a displaceable cover, a tether anchor held within the tether anchor bezel, and a hook carried on the displaceable cover.

Abstract: A vehicular locking device includes a bore having first and second ends. A gas generating device is proximate the first end. A piston is movable along an interior of the bore. The vehicular locking device includes first and second plates. The second plate includes an aperture. Activation of the gas generating device accelerates the piston through the aperture and the second plate preventing displacement of the second plate.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a fabric center portion, first and second bolsters, a first seam between the first bolster and the center portion, a second seam between the center portion and the second bolster, and a seat frame. First and second extension members are disposed along and coupled to the respective first and second seams. The first and second extension members are adjustable between first and second positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame rail having a rear catcher pin. A seat frame slidably engages the rear catcher pin at a lateral support. A head of the catcher pin is vertically offset from the seat frame in a static condition. During an impact condition, the seat frame deflects upward and engages the head of the catcher pin to define a dynamic structure condition.

Abstract: A vehicular locking device includes a bore having first and second ends. A gas generating device is proximate the first end. A piston is movable along an interior of the bore. The vehicular locking device includes first and second plates. The second plate includes an aperture. Activation of the gas generating device accelerates the piston through the aperture and the second plate preventing displacement of the second plate.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to the seat base and includes a seat cushion disposed on a front side thereof. A protective panel operably coupled with the seatback panel. The protective panel includes an internal aluminum panel disposed inside the seatback. An external aluminum panel is disposed on the seatback. A polymeric matrix is disposed between the internal aluminum panel and the external aluminum panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame rail having a rear catcher pin. A seat frame slidably engages the rear catcher pin at a lateral support. A head of the catcher pin is vertically offset from the seat frame in a static condition. During an impact condition, the seat frame deflects upward and engages the head of the catcher pin to define a dynamic structure condition.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a pivoting catch member disposed below an armrest body and a catch wire disposed on a seat back frame member. A retractable stop pin maintains engagement of the pivoting catch member and the catch wire. A release is operatively connected to the retractable stop pin, which may be urged into engagement with the pivoting catch member by a spring. Armrest and seat assemblies including the locking assembly are provided.

Abstract: A counterweighted release lever for a vehicle seat back release mechanism is described. The release lever includes a counterweight providing sufficient weight to move a center of mass of the release lever towards a release lever pivot point disposed adjacent to the counterweight. The counterweight may be integral to or attached to the release lever, or may be operatively connected to a release lever shaft. Vehicle seat back release mechanisms and vehicle seat assemblies including the counterweighted release lever as described above are described.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat frame and a plurality of wire anchors attached to a lateral member of the seat frame. Each wire anchor is formed from a single continuous metallic wire and comprises an anchor portion, a first end that extends from the anchor portion and tangentially engages the lateral member proximate a top portion of the lateral member and extends downward over a rear portion of the lateral member and a second end that extends from the anchor portion and tangentially engages the lateral member proximate a bottom portion of the lateral member and extends upward over the rear portion of the lateral member, and wherein the wire anchor is free of engagement with a front portion of the lateral member.

Abstract: A counterweighted release lever for a vehicle seat back release mechanism is described. The release lever includes a counterweight providing sufficient weight to move a center of mass of the release lever towards a release lever pivot point disposed adjacent to the counterweight. The counterweight may be integral to or attached to the release lever, or may be operatively connected to a release lever shaft. Vehicle seat back release mechanisms and vehicle seat assemblies including the counterweighted release lever as described above are described.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a pivoting stopping member disposed below an armrest body and a catch wire disposed on a seat back frame member. A retractable stop pin maintains engagement of the pivoting stopping member and the catch wire. A release is operatively connected to the retractable stop pin, which may be urged into engagement with the pivoting stopping member by a spring. Armrest and seat assemblies including the locking assembly are provided.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a pivoting catch member disposed below an armrest body and a catch wire disposed on a seat back frame member. A retractable stop pin maintains engagement of the pivoting catch member and the catch wire. A release is operatively connected to the retractable stop pin, which may be urged into engagement with the pivoting catch member by a spring. Armrest and seat assemblies including the locking assembly are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat frame and a plurality of wire anchors attached to a lateral member of the seat frame. Each wire anchor is formed from a single continuous metallic wire and comprises an anchor portion, a first end that extends from the anchor portion and tangentially engages the lateral member proximate a top portion of the lateral member and extends downward over a rear portion of the lateral member and a second end that extends from the anchor portion and tangentially engages the lateral member proximate a bottom portion of the lateral member and extends upward over the rear portion of the lateral member, and wherein the wire anchor is free of engagement with a front portion of the lateral member.

Abstract: An inertial lock assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a stopping member disposed on an armrest attachment bracket and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member. The catch pin is disposed on an armrest link journaled at one end to the attachment bracket and at an opposed end to an armrest frame. The stopping member pivots to engage the catch pin. A guide pin disposed on the armrest attachment bracket is configured to slide within an arcuate guide slot in the stopping member, to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member. A stop disposed on the armrest link is configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the armrest attachment bracket and armrest link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration. Armrest and seat assemblies including the inertial lock assembly are described.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a pivoting stopping member disposed below an armrest body and a catch wire disposed on a seat back frame member. A retractable stop pin maintains engagement of the pivoting stopping member and the catch wire. A release is operatively connected to the retractable stop pin, which may be urged into engagement with the pivoting stopping member by a spring. Armrest and seat assemblies including the locking assembly are provided.

Abstract: An inertial lock assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a stopping member disposed on an armrest attachment bracket and a catch pin for engaging the stopping member. The catch pin is disposed on an armrest link journaled at one end to the attachment bracket and at an opposed end to an armrest frame. The stopping member pivots to engage the catch pin. A guide pin disposed on the armrest attachment bracket is configured to slide within an arcuate guide slot in the stopping member, to restrict a range of pivoting movement of the stopping member. A stop disposed on the armrest link is configured to bias an end of the arcuate guide slot against the guide pin when the armrest attachment bracket and armrest link are in a stowed configuration or in a fully deployed configuration. Armrest and seat assemblies including the inertial lock assembly are described.

Abstract: A seat frame assembly includes a seat portion and a seat back. Upper and lower tracks are positioned beneath the seat portion. The upper track is connected to the seat portion. The tracks are slidable relative to one another to move the seat portion and the seat back. A seat belt restraint is positioned underneath the seat back between the seat portion and the upper track and is connected to the upper track. A riser is positioned on a floor beneath the lower track. A load cell is interposed between the lower track and the riser at a level below the seat belt restraint. A fastener extending through the cell mounts the lower track to the riser. The cell generates a signal indicative of the weight of a seat portion occupant. A spring may be interposed between the cell and the lower track to impart a predetermined load on the cell to enhance the system resolution.

Abstract: A vehicle modular three-across seat, or, so-called, split bench seat assembly, including two wide outboard seat structures and a narrower middle seat structure. Each outboard seat structure is supported on the floor of the vehicle by four corner anchors for independent forward and aft movement. The middle seat is supported in a fixed manner by four corner support brackets extending outwardly and downwardly to mount on the adjacent two pairs of front and rear corner anchors. The modular three-seat assembly is adapted to be installed as a unit in the vehicle by securing the four corner anchors of each of the two outboard seat structures to the vehicle floor pan.

Abstract: An underseat storage bin is used with a pivotable vehicle bench seat in a vehicle having a floor surface. The bench seat is pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright stowed position for providing access beneath the seat. The bench seat is supported on seat support members at opposing ends. The storage bin includes a blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attachable to the seat support members. The bin structure includes a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls arranged to form a plurality of storage compartments. At least one of the storage compartments extends substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items. The compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin.